Pope to global elite: Do more for poor

Pope Francis has challenged the world's business elite to do more to help the poor and vulnerable.

In an address read by Cardinal Peter Turkson at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics said it was intolerable that thousands die each day from hunger.

The pope urged leaders to adopt a new "political and business mentality" and to put their skills to work for the benefit of those living in dire poverty.

"I ask you to ensure humanity is served by wealth and not ruled by it," he said.

The event sees global leaders congregate to discuss pressing world issues. Heads of state, central bankers and CEOs such as Yahoo's(YHOO)Marissa Meyer and Coca-Cola's(KO) Muhtar Kent are attending.

Pope Francis has given the Vatican a public relations boost, inspiring widespread admiration with deeds such as inviting homeless men to his birthday meal and taking a teenage boy with Down syndrome on a ride on his Popemobile.

"It's been like a springtime for all of us," Cardinal Turkson told CNN. "He's breathed new life into Church leadership."